Air handling system with self balancing air entrance door

Abstract

A self balancing air handling system for conditioning an interior space includes an air handling unit having an outlet for supplying conditioned air to the space, an entrance providing an access from an exterior space to the interior space, an air plenum surrounding said space, and an inlet for returning air from said plenum to said air handling unit wherein said air handling unit supplies said conditioned air under conditions providing a positive pressure differential at said entrance between the interior space and the exterior space thereby limiting infiltration air into the interior space.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to recirculating forced air systems and, in particular, to a room entrance air return system that utilizes air return flow to balance air pressures and control air infiltration.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Air Handling Units (AHUs) are widely used in with heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigerating (HVACR) systems to control temperature and humidity in commercial spaces. Outdoor air usually accounts for the largest heat transfer load. The term “outdoor air” can refer to air from outside the room, or air from outside the building. Outdoor air generally imparts loads on these systems by entering through door openings and dedicated AHU outdoor air intake openings. Minimization of air infiltration without a sacrifice in air quality is a common goal of HVACR system design.[0003]In the interest of reducing air infiltration issues, air entrances have been established that use high velocity air streams impinged on d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an air handling system for enclosed spaces that maintains a neutral static pressure on the building while still allowing a large opening in the building to be used frequently like an entrance into a supermarket. The system includes an air handling unit having an outlet for supplying conditioned air to the space, an entrance providing an access from an exterior space to the interior space, an air plenum surrounding the entrance, and an inlet for returning air from the plenum to the air handling unit wherein the air handling unit supplies air under conditions providing a positive pressure differential at the entrance thereby limiting infiltration air into the interior space from the exterior. The system compensates for large winds entering a building thereby reducing drafts, utilizes the mechanical energy of the return air velocity pressure to offset inward pressures of the outdoor ambient air that infiltrate a building, and does not have the additional cost of separate installed Air Entrance components like fans and heaters. The entrance door system is very simple to install and balance in regards to makeup air and outdoor air infiltration."

Problems solved by technology

These systems reduce air infiltration at the cost of added fan power and limitations on operational effectiveness due to the maximum velocity.

Detracting from these benefits are high capital costs; negligible energy savings and possibly an increase in energy consumption; annoying air blowing on customers' hair; cold drafts in the winter, warm drafts in the summer as customers walk through the entrance; maintenance problems of keeping a pit clean and an additional HVAC system to repair; and a large floor grille that some people are uncomfortable to walk on, approximately 5 feet across.

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